Tillerson doesn't seem to realize speaking up for human rights is part of the job - WaPo Editorial
By Editorial Board January 12 at 7:34 PM
AT LEAST 4,800 people have been killed by Philippine security forces and unidentified gunmen in a lawless anti-drug campaign since President Rodrigo Duterte took office just six months ago, according to Human Rights Watch. The Obama administration has repeatedly criticized what it calls the “extrajudicial killings.” But Rex Tillerson, the oil executive nominated to be secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday that he was not ready to judge whether the Duterte government is guilty of human rights violations.
Saudi Arabia continues to deny women fundamental rights and imprison dissidents advocating peaceful reforms. But Mr. Tillerson, who said he has been traveling to the Middle East’s largest oil producer for decades, said he would “need to have greater information” to determine if it violates human rights.
Aleppo, Syria, is another puzzle for the prospective secretary of state. Human rights groups documented the bombing of hospitals, food markets and other civilian targets, including a U.N. aid convoy, by Russian and Syrian warplanes during the recent siege; the Obama administration called the attacks war crimes. But Mr. Tillerson said he didn’t “have sufficient information” to concur.
It might be concluded, as the nominee himself suggested, that he lacks information and will have more to say once he studies government reports. But in his more candid moments, Mr. Tillerson suggested a more plausible — and disturbing — explanation: that he believes that speaking out on human rights is incompatible with maintaining ties with U.S. allies. The Philippines has “been an ally, and we need to ensure they stay an ally,” he said. As for Saudi Arabia, he mused, “when you designate someone or label someone, the question is, is that the most effective way to have progress continue to be made in Saudi Arabia or any other country?”
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